Te Akau NZ Saturday Preview

Te Akau New Zealand has six horses racing at two venues on Saturday 27 May: Ellerslie, and Eagle Farm.

Ellerslie:

As on Friday 26 May the conditions were: fine and Heavy11, rail out 6 metres. 3mls rain forecast overnight Friday, showers Saturday afternoon.

1.14 p.m. R3 2 Silverdale (7 g Castledale - Elianto) - Jasmine Fawcett (a4); made ground in each of his two preparatory trials and resumes off a lengthy spell in the $30,000 Open 1200 metres. A grand campaigner, multiple stakes performed winner of seven races, he receives weight relief to 55kgs. Meeting a few talented sprinters, he will benefit with racing and increased distances. Fixed odds: $17.00 & $4.00.

Eagle Farm, Brisbane:

As on Friday 26 May the conditions were: fine and Heavy8, rail true. No rain forecast.

1.57 p.m. (NZ time) R1 4 Jimmy Rea (5 g Thewayyouare - Maureen Terese) - Opie Bosson; resumes in the $60,000 Rating 95 1200 metres, having continued to improve following a top trial in April at Taupo, and more recently another pleasing effort on 9 May at Deagon, Queensland, on Heavy8. He was unbeaten at the trials before transferring to Mark Walker in Singapore. The winner of six races, including a hat-trick, from thirteen starts, and nearly half a million in prize money he returned home following an injury but appears to have retained his zest. He is a talented galloper and should only improve on what he does first up. Fixed odds: $16.00.

3.17 p.m. (NZ time) R3 14 Melody Belle (2 f Commands - Meleka Belle) - Opie Bosson; stamped her authority over the juvenile set with an impressive win in the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) on 1 April at Awapuni, and resumes in the $250,000 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m). A stunning winner of the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) in January at Ellerslie, she was firmly held when crossing the line on terms with the winner in a trial on 9 May at Deagon, Queensland, on Heavy8. Although bouncing through the trial there is still improvement expected ahead of the $600,000 J. J. Atkins (Gr. 1, 1600m) here on 10 June, but she is a class act. Fixed odds: $4.50.

3.57 p.m. (NZ time) R4 13 Zambezi Warrior (4 g Pentire - Zambezi) - Jeff Lloyd; received an early check and from third last he picked through runners determinedly for a solid fourth in the Chairman's Handicap (Gr. 3, 2000m) on 13 May at Doomben, with Lloyd aboard, and contests the $125,000 Premier's Cup (Gr. 3, 2200m). Not far away when contesting both the City of Auckland Cup (Gr. 3, 2400m) and Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m), and placed in the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m) as a three-year-old, he has shown versatility by winning on a range of track conditions, including heavy, and carrying minimum weight (54kg) aids his prospects of another bold showing. Fixed odds: $13.00.

Racenet analysis: ZAMBEZI WARRIOR ran on soundly last start, the bigger track and extra distance may suit.

4.35 p.m. (NZ time) R5 5 Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck) - Opie Bosson; travelled easily in fifth before racing away to win the Rough Habit Plate (Gr. 3, 2000m) a fortnight ago at Doomben, on Soft7, and from barrier three contests the $150,000 Grand Prix Stakes (Gr. 3, 2200m). Reported to have thrived since, heavy footing remains some concern, but the acceleration and manner of his victory was undeniable. Preparing for the $600,000 Queensland Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) here on 10 June, he is strongly favoured in the betting markets. Fixed odds: $3.00.

Racenet analysis: SHOCKING LUCK beat a number of these rivals comprehensively last start and should be better suited by this track and distance. He will be hard to beat again.

6.32 p.m. (NZ time) R8 3 Heroic Valour (3 c Fastnet Rock - Myrrh) - Opie Bosson; went very close in his first Australian start, beaten a head after working to get handy in the Gold Coast Guineas (Gr. 3, 1200m), and drawn barrier eight in the $150,000 Fred Best Classic (Gr. 3, 1400m). A Group One winner as a two-year-old, third in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), and brave when fourth in the weight-for-age NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) in February at Te Rapa, he is a top quality colt. With his best form on good to dead ground there are reservations as to whether he will take his place. Co-trainer Jamie Richards, with the horses in Brisbane, reported him: “Fifty-fifty at best”. Fixed odds: $6.50.

Racenet race analysis: HEROIC VALOUR just missed when favourite in the Gold Coast Guineas, this is harder but he should be improved and can be in the finish.